WEST HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A historic theater is closing its curtain after more than 100 years of showing movies in West Hazleton. The theater has undergone multiple ownership changes, name changes, and closures over the years, and each time, it has made a comeback. However, locals are saying this is its last hurrah.
Many businesses struggled to keep their doors open during the pandemic, but the movie industry was hit harder than most. For the historic Hershker Theater, most recently known as Cinema and Drafthouse in West Hazleton, it was time for the final act.
It's the end of an era for cinema and Drafthouse Theater in West Hazleton. After 23 years of business, they are shutting their doors.
Owners say their decision to sell was primarily based on the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many neighborhood theaters closed during the pandemic, and one man we spoke with says if it wasn't for the theater's business model, they likely would have closed much sooner.
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"It not only showed movies, but you were able to have sandwiches and snacks there. It was redesigned for that purpose, and it was very successful in that particular unique venue," Plains Township resident David DeCosmo told 28/22 News.
The theater was around for nearly a century before the rebrand.
It opened in 1914 as the Hersker Theater, changing hands and names a few times before becoming Cinema and Drafthouse.
DeCosmo's father, Tony, served as the chief projectionist at a different Hazleton Theater, but would occasionally fill in at the former Hersker.
Owners of the cinema and drafthouse stated the closure:
This theater has meant so much to us, and we are grateful for the memories, the laughter, the loyal customers, and the many friendships formed over the years. It has been an honor and pleasure to be part of your date nights, proposals, birthday parties, field trips, and retirements. We are grateful for the over two decades of community support.
Like many small businesses, we experienced significant challenges following the pandemic and ultimately made the difficult decision to sell. We are confident the building’s next chapter will allow it to continue to serve our area well.
The Hillman and Katona Families, Cinema & Drafthouse Owners
While the theater's closure is a loss to the community, DeCosmo says, for him and many others, the memories made there will remain.
"They remember going there as a child, they remember taking their families there, they remember celebrations there, and they remember sitting back in a comfortable seat watching the silver screen and having some popcorn," DeCosmo stated.
It is not yet known what will become of the building, but the owners say they are confident that whatever moves into the space will continue serving the community.
